Responding to the severe drought gripping Namibia and threatening its wildlife, businessperson Anant Ambani’s Vantara Foundation has extended its support to the Namibian government, proposing a compassionate alternative to the controversial wildlife culling strategy.
The Gujarat-based Vantara Foundation, renowned for its commitment to animal welfare and conservation through its Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, has made notable strides in animal protection.
Covering 3,500 acres and employing over 2,000 experts in state-of-the-art facilities, the foundation is equipped to handle over 2,000 species.
In a recent letter to Namibian officials, Vantara expressed deep concern about the potential culling of wildlife as a means to manage the impact of the ongoing drought.
The foundation acknowledged the severe conditions prompting such drastic measures but urged for a more humane solution that would ensure the survival and welfare of Namibia’s wildlife.
“We are committed to overcoming challenges and protecting every animal from threats to their welfare and survival,” the letter reads.
Vantara has proposed to offer lifelong care or temporary refuge for affected animals to prevent the need for culling, aligning with their mission to rescue and rehabilitate at-risk species.
The foundation has called on the Namibian government to consider this alternative and collaborate on a solution that avoids the culling of wildlife.
The Namibian government’s decision to implement a wildlife cull as part of its drought relief efforts has sparked controversy.
The cull, which began on August 14, targets 723 animals, including hippos, buffalo, impala, blue wildebeest, zebras, elephants, and eland antelopes. The aim is to alleviate pressure on dwindling herds and habitats, with some of the meat intended to support communities struggling with hunger due to the drought.
The plan has drawn criticism from conservationists and researchers who argue that the culling could have long-term ecological impacts.
The debate highlights the challenges faced by Namibia in balancing wildlife conservation with urgent humanitarian needs amid one of the region’s worst droughts.
Follow us
